Description: A man-portable combination HF-NVIS, U/VHF Rapid Antenna Deployment System for Amateur Radio EmComm. Designed specifically for the rigors of emergency/disaster deployment in any weather and on any terrain by one or two persons, without tools. Includes specially modified SGC SG-237 auto-coupler and Smartlock system for fully automatic tuning from 1.8 to 60MHz to 100W PEP and 118-180, 220-225 and 430-480MHz to 200W. The M-Pol omni-directional U/VHF element is both horizontally and vertically polarized, with both high and low angle lobes. HF and U/VHF can be used simultaneously without mutual interference, and have their own 50 foot coax feed-lines with multiple attached (captive) adapters for use on 95% of all HF and U/VHF transceivers. Includes custom fiberglass telescopic mast system, heavy-duty vinyl carry bag, cables and everything else needed for rapid deployment and recovery anywhere in minutes! Full one year manufacturers warranty. These are hand-built, one at a time and are serious systems for serious requirements. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

Used it during a national four day exercise. Trained some newbies to help me to set it up and they learned it by intuition. Even with poor propagation on the first day it worked great on voice and digital. Changing RMS frequencies, tuning it and sending & receiving WL2K/AirMail was a charm. Tested the loop on 20 meters by dropping one side which enhanced directivity and long distance Comms. Considering what I paid for, what I intented it to be used for and ease of set-up in the field I would buy this EmComm antenna again!!!

Naturally being knowsy after cleaning the quipment I went through & in & around some of the equipment in detail and can't wait to get the dipole going. The 1:1 Balun used by Robin is one made by Array Solutions and is weatherproof (for my purposes) and the quality of its components and manufacturing is superior. Am still pleasently suprised of Robin's craftmanship comparable to Old World Master Craftsmen and the quality items he uses to complete the system.

I believe I have one of the first RADS antenna with the loop HF element and it works like a charm.

I work professionaly and privately in Emergency Communications and we use HF & VHF when all else fail and I can say that the quality of workmenship is first class.

Had no issues emplacing the system by myself but two people would ease the set up. With its 4 wire guy system it does take up some real estate and to have the HF loop tight the guy wires have to be spread.

Due to the SG-237 coupler with Smartlock and since I do not have a pass-through in my radio room for the Smartlock I placed my Ic-7200 outside on my garden table.

Connected a BK P25 handheld radio (~ 5 watts) to the VHF Niljon MP VHF antenna and talked with my office through our repeater from my QTH and we had a loud & clear conversation. This is a distance of about 40+ miles. Did I have a grin on my face when my watch officer did not believe me when I told him where I was!?!?

The Niljon MP VHF portion of the RADS system looks like a small version of the old military 292 antenna.

The HF loop worked also like a charm on the 20 meter Maritime Net on 14300 USB. Had a L&C from a New Hampshire station and US VI and that was in the middle of the day with poor propagation. Did test it on the 40 - 80 meter bands during regular training Nets and was able to communicate on all frequencies and it even beat my 143 foot dipole.

Did some measuring between the radio & coupler and all results are satisfactory especially since apparently no RF was firing back. It also is very sensitive but quiet antenna.

The manual also states that if one side of the loop is dropped it will work DX on 20 meters in the direction of the drop and did test it with our one of our large stations which is in a western state and it was more then satisfactory.

The system also has a DX 1:1 balun underneath the Niljon antenna and I will test in in the near future as an inverted dipole for 80 - 10 meters or a long-leg directional wire set-up.

Since I was told it would work; when I disassembled the antenna this weekend I tested the HF loop and placed it and the coupler on the ground and was able to connect to several RMS sites for WL2K with ease.....which enables me to stop anywhere and just throw the loop on the ground and immediately I can send & receive messages via WL2K with Pactor....now I have to check that for voice also!

Being satisfied is an understatement and you get what you pay for and with this antenna and its capabilities is just what the Doctor ordered.

73s
Michael
KI4VZS

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